| INTRODUCTION: Family: Annonaceae
Genus: Annona
Species: muricata Common names: Most commonly it is called Graviola. other names are Brazilian paw paw, soursop, (guansavana or cachiman epineux) Part Used: Normally all parts of plants are used in the herbal medicines these includes leaves, seeds, roots, fruits and barks.
| HERBAL USAGE (Tribal & Herbal Medicine Uses): |
Different parts of tree have different properties & usage. The leaves,roots, barks are used as sedative, nervine, antispasmodic, hypotensive (Decreased BP) & diabetes. In some areas leaf tea/or bark tea is used as heart tonic. In the Brazilian Amazon a leaf tea is used for liver problems where as in the Peruvian Andes leaf tea is used in the inflammatory condition. The crushed seeds are used to kill internal and external parasites, head lice, and worms. Generally, the fruit and fruit juice are taken from plant for worms and parasites, to cool fevers, to increase milk production in mothers after childbirth and as an astringent for diarrhea and dysentery. Indigenous tribes in Guyana the oil of the leaves and unripe fruit is
mixed with olive oil and used externally for neuralgia, rheumatism, and arthritis pain ( inflammatory joint pain) . In Jamaica, Haiti, and the West Indies the fruit and/or fruit juice is used for fevers, parasites and diarrhea. nervine for heart conditions, coughs, flu, difficult childbirth, asthma(problem in breathing), hypertension and parasites.
| ACTIVE COMPOUNDS & CHEMICALS IN PLANT: |
Many research on graviola indicated that it contain a set of chemicals are present called Annonaceous acetogenins Annonaceous acetogenins are only found in the Annonaceae family (to which graviola belongs).By different researches it is confirmed that Annonaceous acetogenins have strong antitumorsous properties & have the ability to show toxicity against many types of cancerous cells without interacting with normal cells. These chemicals in general have been documented with antitumorous, antiparasitic, insecticidal, and antimicrobial activities.
| MODE OF ACTION OF ANNONACEOUS ACETOGENINS: |
These chemicals are potent inhibitor of an enzyme that are present on the cancerous cell membranes that’s the reason that these chemicals only toxic to the cancer cells. These chemicals also helpful in killing multi-drug resistance (MDR) cancers by blocking ATP transport because MDR cancers cells have the ability to develop resistance to chemotherapy drugs by creating an intercellular pump which is capable of pushing anticancer agents out of the cell before they can kill it. The Annonaceous acetogenins discovered in graviola thus far include: annocatalin, annohexocin, annomonicin, annomontacin, annomuricatin A & B, annomuricin A
thru E, annomutacin, annonacin, annonacinone, annopentocin A thru C, cis-annonacin, cis-corossolone, cohibin A thru D, corepoxylone, coronin, corossolin, corossolone, donhexocin, epomuricenin A & B, gigantetrocin, gigantetrocin A & B, gigantetrocinone, gigantetronenin, goniothalamicin, iso-annonacin, javoricin, montanacin, montecristin, muracin A thru G, muricapentocin, muricatalicin, muricatalin, muri-catenol, muricatetrocin A & B muricatin D, muricatocin A thru C muricin H, muricin I, muricoreacin, murihexocin 3, murihexocin A thru C, murihexol, murisolin, robustocin, rolliniastatin 1 & 2, saba-delin, solamin, uvariamicin I & IV, xylomaticin.
| COMMON USES: (Current Practical Uses) |
Many cancer research on graviola indicated that these chemicals follow the same path way as other cancerous drug Taxol. From the time researchers first discovered an antitumorous effect in the bark of the pacific yew tree and a novel chemical called taxol was discovered in its bark .Researches on Graviola indicated that it has the main antitumorous chemical, annonacin Now scientists have the ability to recreate this chemical and several other active acetogenins in the laboratory, the next step is to change the chemical just enough (without losing any of the antitumorous actions in the process) to become a novel chemical which can be patented and turned into a new patented cancer drug. (Naturally-occurring plant chemicals cannot be patented.) In the meantime, many cancer patients and health
practitioners are not waiting… they are adding the natural leaf and stem of graviola (with over 40 documented naturally-occurring acetogenins including annonacin) as a complementary therapy to their cancer protocols research on Graviola indicates that it has a long history of safe use as a herbal remedy for other conditions & antitumorous acetogenins in it are selectively toxic to just cancer cells and not healthy cells. These antitumorous acetogenins chemicals mainly found in high amount in the seeds & roots.
The therapeutic dosage is reported to be 2 g three times daily in capsules or tablets. A standard infusion (one cup 3 times daily) or a 4:1 standard tincture (2–4 ml three times daily) can be substituted if desired.
| CONTRAINDICATIONS BASED ON ANIMAL STUDY: |
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Graviola has demonstrated hypotensive, vasodilator and cardiodepressant activities in animal studies and is contraindicated for people with low blood pressure. People taking antihypertensive drugs should check with their doctors before taking graviola and monitor their blood pressure accordingly.
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One study with rats given a stem-bark extract intragastrically (at 100 mg/kg) reported an increase in dopamine, norepinephrine, and monomine oxidase activity, as well as a inhibition of serotonin release in stress-induced rats.
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Graviola has demonstrated uterine stimulant activity in an animal study (rats) and should therefore not be used during pregnancy.
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Alcohol extracts of graviola leaf showed no toxicity or side effects in mice at 100 mg/kg; however, at a dosage of 300 mg/kg, a reduction in explorative behavior and mild abdominal constrictions was observed.If sedation or sleepiness occurs, reduce the amount used.
Graviola interact with other drugs has not been reported, however it may enhanced the activity of antihypertensive and cardiac depressant drugs. It may also enhanced the activity antidepressant drugs and interfere with MAO-inhibitor drugs.
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For all type of cancers
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For the treatment of external & internal bacterial & fungal infections
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For internal parasites and worms
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To reduce high Blood pressure
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For depression, stress, and nervous disorders
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PROPERTIES/ ACTIONS BASED ON RESEARCH: |
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OTHER PROPERTIES/ ACTIONS BASED ON TRADITIONAL USE: |
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Antiviral
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Cardiotonic (tones, balances,
strengthens the heart)
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Decongestant
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Digestive Stimulant
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Febrifuge (reduces fever)
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Nervine (balances/calms
nerves)
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Pediculicide (kills lice)
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Vermifuge (expels worms)
Because Graviola has
vasodilator, hypotensive & cardiodepressant large dosage of it can cause
vomiting & nausea.
Since Graviola has the ability
to reduce ATP while CoQ10 inhanced ATP production so it can’t be use along with
CoQ10. |
